While KwaZulu-Natal school teams often play a similar brand of rugby, Grey High coach Matt King anticipates contrasting challenges when his team face Michaelhouse and Hilton at the Standard Bank Grey High Festival later this month.
The annual tournament, scheduled for March 29 and 31, will showcase some of the most competitive school teams from across the country. The KZN sides are eager to test themselves against one of the Eastern Cape’s rugby powerhouses.
Grey has not played against these teams at their festival for several years, and King expressed excitement about the upcoming challenge.
“While the schools are similar in nature, we see them as two contrasting challenges,” he said.
“Michaelhouse play an expansive and highly skilful brand of rugby that entertains all who come to support, whereas Hilton are extremely disciplined and pragmatic in their approach.
“Either way, we are in for two very tough games, and we welcome the opportunity to test ourselves at this stage of the season.”
Before the festival, Grey High will open its campaign against Hudson Park at the Graeme College Festival in Makhanda on Friday.
At this stage, King believes his team remains somewhat of an unknown quantity, as only three players from the 2024 squad will start in this fixture. However, he remains optimistic.
“We see this as a massive opportunity to build squad depth while awaiting the return of several injured players,” he said. “The squad is well-balanced, and I’m excited by the blend of youth and experience.
“We had a productive pre-season, which included a few matches at the Global Schools Festival in Bloemfontein over the December holidays. The boys have been incredibly committed and are in high spirits as we head into our first match against Hudson Park.”
The Grey High Festival has been a key fixture on the South African schools' rugby calendar for many years, and King is looking forward to the gathering of players, coaches, and supporters.
“We view the Standard Bank Grey Rugby Festival as an opportunity to showcase the hard work put in by more than 1,000 players who will compete over the weekend of March 29 and 31,” he said.
“It’s a chance for players, coaches, supporters, and schools to share in the camaraderie of the event and build relationships that extend beyond the field.
“From a rugby perspective, while the festival takes place early in the season, most coaches will have largely settled teams and will be aiming for strong performances to build momentum ahead of the Easter festivals and the second term.”
He emphasised that the festival is a highlight of Grey High’s sporting programme.
“As an Eastern Cape school, we feel privileged to host many of the country’s top rugby schools and to build on the brand that the Standard Bank Grey Rugby Festival has worked so hard to establish over the past few decades,” he said.
“South African rugby is stronger when the Eastern Cape is producing top talent. This festival is vital for identifying and developing that talent, and we are incredibly proud to be part of that process.”